Container with butterfly lid closure

Abstract

A container with a butterfly lid closure has a base portion and two overlapping hinged lid portions for providing a secure vented closure. The container has a base with a top peripheral edge at an open top end. Two hinged butterfly lid portions are secured to the upper peripheral edge at sides of the base. The lid portions are secured to the base in a closed position by locking recesses on the lid portions that engage locking formations on the upper peripheral edge. A groove on one lid portion engages a groove on another lid portion to form a seal where the lid portions overlap. Venting channels formed on the locking formations allow air to pass in and out of the container, but prevent liquids from entering the container. Arched ridges on the container's sidewalls increase the container's rigidity and resistance to top loading.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container with a butterfly lid closure, comprising:
 a base having a bottom, side walls, and a top peripheral edge defining an open top end;   a plurality of ridges formed in at least one of the side walls;   a butterfly lid having a first lid portion and a second lid portion for releasably closing the open top end of the base; the first lid portion and second lid portions being integrally formed with the base; the first lid portion being connected to the top peripheral edge by a first hinge;   the second lid portion being connected to the top peripheral edge by a second hinge; the first and second lid portions being movable from an open position to a closed position; the first and second lid portions being configured such that they overlap when in the closed position;   a first groove formed at an edge of the first lid portion, and a second groove formed at an edge of the second lid portion; the first groove and the second groove each having a convex lower face and a concave upper face;   at least one locking recess formed on the first lid portion;   at least one locking recess formed on the second lid portion;   a plurality of locking formations formed near the peripheral edge of the base for engaging the locking recesses of the first lid portion and second lid portion when the first and second lid portions are in the closed position; and   a venting channel defined on an upper surface of each locking formation when the first and second lid portions are in the closed position so that air can pass in and out of the container;   the first and second lid portions each having a pull tab extending therefrom for opening the container;   whereby a user may close the container by overlapping the first and second lid portions so that the convex lower face of the first groove engages the concave upper face of the second groove or the convex lower face of the second groove engages the concave upper face;   whereby the arches provide reinforcement to the base of the container to increase top load resistance.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is formed of plastic. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is transparent. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is translucent. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is opaque. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of ridges includes at least one arch having an apex, the apex of the at least one arch being proximal to the open top end of the base. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is square, round, oval or rectangular in shape. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the pull tabs on the first and second lid portions are symmetrical. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first hinge and the second hinge are perforated hinges. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , further including a weld strip along a top peripheral edge of the base.